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worshipping (and of course, the Khoisan religions). But with the arrival of the
missionaries, communities in the area were introduced to a new form of
religion: Christianity. Although converting communities into Christianity was
not an easy task, those who were successfully converted, represented new
forms of identities in the Makgabeng area. New forms of identities – Black
converts – with distinct characteristics emerged for the first time. They
became to be distinguished from the “others” who were not Christian
converts. At some times, this new form of distinction caused hostilities
between the converts and the non-converts. Today there are so many
Christian denominations in the Makgabeng area which arguably owe their
origin to the arrival of the first missionaries in the area.
According to the available oral evidence, the Wesleyan influence on the
south-western side of the Makgabeng mountains, grew under the
evangelist, Philemon Setumu, towards the close of the 19 th century.
Evangelist Setumu met with the Wesleyan teaching while he was working in
the gold mines as a migrant worker 312 . On his return to the Makgabeng
area, Setumu spread the Gospel among his people around the small
Setlaolwe hills on the southern foot of the Makgabeng mountains. In
addition to the Gospel, Setumu also brought with him western education.
Most of his converts, especially the youth, were taught reading and writing.
Among the first learners under Setumu was Freda Ramoroka (Mmasimi),
312 Interview, Mmachuene Georgina Setumu, Norma A village, 2 January 2003.
177